Pathfinders

About the Collection

The University Libraries of the State University System of Florida contain, in addition to book and serial collections, invaluable research materials concerning the history of Florida and its citizens. These materials include family papers and records, diaries, letters, business records, maps, photographs, and other materials that are unique and important for historical research.

Each of the participating libraries--especially their special collections and archives departments--are contributing materials from their collections to this Project. Some of these are local history books and booklets, advertising materials from the Florida Boom, Civil War letters, and other materials that each add to some understanding of Florida's history. Many of these materials are regional or local in scope. This is because as the state universities evolved, a number of them specialized in local and regional history. For example, the University of West Florida has strong collections concerning the West Florida region while the University of South Florida has resources on the Tampa area. In addition, all of the libraries have Floridiana collections so collections will include local as well as statewide research materials. It is important that researchers should also understand that much of Florida's history is that of an emigrant state--people moving to Florida from other states of the Union, especially retirees--and bringing with them family records and papers. For that reason, it is imperative that researchers not only utilize the Florida Heritage Project digitized materials, but also contact individual libraries for further information. Florida's claim to Spanish treasure fades in significance to the historical treasures awaiting in its many archives and libraries!

Technical Aspects

The Florida Heritage Project was the first statewide digital library initiative in Florida. The Project, proposed in 1998 by the libraries of the State University System of Florida (SUS) in partnership with the Florida Center for Library Automation (FCLA) and the State Library of Florida, intends to build an openly-accessible collection of digital materials documenting the history and culture of Florida from prehistoric times to the modern day.

The Project is supported through a central fund created by the directors of the SUS libraries. Most funds are redistributed to libraries to reimburse the direct costs of digitizing Florida Heritage materials. A small percentage is allocated for graphics design, historical consulting, and other professional services. The cost of selection, cataloging, and other support activities are bourne by the individual libraries. Image storage, retrieval and website maintenance are provided by FCLA.

Fiscal management is provided through the Florida Center for Library Automation. Ongoing project oversight is provided by the Digitization Services Planning Committee, a standing committee of the SUS libraries.

OVERVIEW AND WORKFLOW

Participating libraries select materials for inclusion in the Florida Heritage Collection and contribute catalog records for the digitized version to a central database. The libraries perform or outsource the digitization and create files of structural metadata describing the relation of images to logical parts of the resource. The structural metadata record and the set of images for each resource is transmitted to FCLA, where the data is loaded into a DB2 application on a central Unix server. Identifiers which serve the function of persistent URLs pointing to the DB2 application are inserted into the catalog records, which are used for name and topical access to the electronic resources.

RESOURCE DESCRIPTION -- CATALOGING

Participating libraries are responsible for creating full MARC catalog records for selected materials from their own collections. Cataloging records are maintained in a union database of all Florida Heritage materials at FCLA and are also contributed to the OCLC WorldCat.

Cataloging is expected to adhere to guidelines developed by the Technical Services Planning Committee Cataloging and Access Guidelines for Electronic Resources (CAGER). The guidelines specify that records should represent the electronic versions only, and include specific instructions to:

Put the date of the original in Fixed Field Date1, the date of digitization in Date2, and use Form of Reproduction "s";

Include a title (245) subfield h to indicate the resource is electronic;

Specify the digitizing institution and date of digitization in the imprint (260);

Include a series statement (830) for the Florida Heritage Project, justified by a general note (500);

Use an original version note (534) to record the location of and publication information for the source document.

Catalog records also contain a target audience note (521) indicating the grade level of the material according to the Florida State Department of Education Sunshine State Standards (FDOESS).

Each record should also contain at least one Florida Heritage Timeline heading from the Florida History Timeline added as a geographic subject heading (651).

Complete MARC cataloging instructions can be found in the CAGER Guidelines.

RESOURCE DESCRIPTION -- STRUCTURAL METADATA

A file of structural metadata is created for every document to indicate the relationship between the physical units of digitization (TIFF, JPEG and other images) and the logical units of publication (pages, chapters, and other parts). The metadata format used is a modified version of the Elsevier EFFECT format called DataSet.TOC.

IMAGE LOADING, STORAGE and NAVIGATION

For each volume that is digitized, a directory containing one DataSet.TOC file and a set of images is sent by FTP from the contributing institution to FCLA. The metadata and images are processed by a locally written loader, which first checks that all the image files referenced by the DataSet.TOC are present, copies the images into a Florida Heritage directory, and loads the structural metadata into DB2 tables maintained on a Unix server. If instructed, the loader will also create derivative formats such as PDF files.

Once structural metadata is loaded and images are moved to the appropriate directories, access and navigation is provided by another locally written DB2 server program.

Persistent URLs referencing the server application are created by program and inserted into the bibliographic record describing the resource.

RETRIEVAL

The cataloging records describing Florida Heritage resources are loaded into
a shared central library management system, a locally developed application
based on NOTIS, on an IBM mainframe. The records can be searched through the
SUS Libraries' online union catalog. All traditional catalog
access points are available (author, title, subject, etc.) as well as Florida
Heritage Timeline headings and grade level from the Sunshine State Standards
categories.

Once records are retrieved, the URLs in the bibliographic record are used as hotlinks to the DB2 server application, which initially presents a Table of Contents display.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS -- PLANS FOR YEAR 2000

Participating libraries will continue to contribute materials to Florida Heritage. Funding has been provided for the digitization of approximately 50,000 additional pages by July 1, 2000.

The Florida History
Timeline will be fully developed to include narrative information and links to digitized materials for all Timeline headings. A thematic index to identify topics that cross Timeline categories will be developed.

The project will develop the capability of storing ASCII text obtained by performing Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on textual image files. This "dirty ASCII" will be used for full text retrieval of the documents.

The format for contributing structural metadata will be changed from the current modified EFFECT format to an XML-based structure.

Florida History Outline

Select a date from the timeline below

FLORIDA BEFORE COLUMBUS, through 1492

People first reached Florida at least 12,000 years ago. The rich variety of environments in prehistoric Florida supported a large number of plants and animals. The animal population included most mammals that we know today. In addition, many other large mammals that are now extinct (such as the saber-tooth tiger, mastodon, giant armadillo, and camel) roamed the land.

The Florida coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico was very different 12,000 years ago. The sea level was much lower than it is today. As a result, the Florida peninsula was more than twice as large as it is now. The people who inhabited Florida at that time were hunters and gatherers, who only rarely sought big game for food. Modern researchers think that their diet consisted of small animals, plants, nuts, and shellfish. These first Floridians settled in areas where a steady water supply, good stone resources for tool making, and firewood were available. Over the centuries, these native people developed complex cultures. During the period prior to contact with Europeans, native societies of the peninsula developed cultivated agriculture, traded with other groups in what is now the southeastern United States, and increased their social organization, reflected in large temple mounds and village complexes.

EUROPEAN DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT IN FLORIDA 1492-1821

Florida was settled long before Europeans had discovered the peninsula. Some estimates suggest that Native Americans had arrived in Florida as early as 10,000 years before the first Europeans. European voyages of discovery began when Columbus discovered the islands of the "New World" in 1492. Spanish exploration of Florida began in 1513 with expeditions near present day St. Augustine, the Florida Keys and Tampa.

French settlement of Florida began in 1562 as Huguenots, French Protestants, established themselves on the St. Johns River not far from the Spanish settlement at St. Augustine. This settlement was easily conquered by the Spanish, but Spain's early dominance of Florida was threatened over time by the expansion of English colonies from the north and French colonies from the west. By 1702, the English had sacked St. Augustine and, by 1719, the French had taken Pensacola. Americans joined the battles for Florida in 1803, following their purchase of Louisiana from the French. The history of Florida during this period is one of territorial gain and loss until 1821, when Spain ceded Florida to the United States of America.

At the same time, European settlement and conflicts had a devastating effect on Native Americans and set the stage for the later Seminole Wars. Spain crusaded for the conversion of Native Americans within its territory, often brutalizing populations that did not convert to Catholicism. The British in Georgia were no less intolerant. However, rather than convert, the British chose to clear the native populations from British territory. In 1750, Creek refugees together with escaped slaves migrated into Florida where they became known as the "Seminoles".

Explorers and Travelers, 1492-1700

Written records about life in Florida began with the arrival of the Spanish explorer and adventurer Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513. Sometime between April 2 and April 8, Ponce de Leon waded ashore on the northeast coast of Florida, possibly near present-day St. Augustine. He called the area la Florida, in honor of Pascua florida ("feast of the flowers"), Spainos Eastertime celebration. Other Europeans may have reached Florida earlier, but no firm evidence of such achievement has been found.

On another voyage in 1521, Ponce de Leon landed on the southwestern coast of the peninsula, accompanied by two-hundred people, fifty horses, and numerous beasts of burden. His colonization attempt quickly failed because of attacks by native people. However, Ponce de Leon's activities served to identify Florida as a desirable place for explorers, missionaries, and treasure seekers.

In 1539 Hernando de Soto began another expedition in search of gold and silver, which took him on a long trek through Florida and what is now the southeastern United States. For four years, de Sotoos expedition wandered, in hopes of finding the fabled wealth of the Indian people. De Soto and his soldiers camped for five months in the area now known as Tallahassee. De Soto died near the Mississippi River in 1542. In the end, only about three hundred survivors-- half the number that landed with de Soto at Tampa Bay--returned to Spanish Mexico.

No great treasure troves awaited the Spanish conquistadores who explored Florida. However, their stories helped inform Europeans about Florida and its relationship to Cuba, Mexico, and Central and South America, from which Spain regularly shipped gold, silver, and other products. Groups of heavily-laden Spanish vessels, called plate fleets, usually sailed up the Gulf Stream through the straits that parallel Floridaos Keys. Aware of this route, pirates preyed on the fleets. Hurricanes created additional hazards, sometimes wrecking the ships on the reefs and shoals along Florida's eastern coast.

Spain was not the only European nation that found Florida attractive. In 1562 the French protestant Jean Ribault explored the area. Two years later, fellow Frenchman Reno Goulaine de Laudonniore established Fort Caroline at the mouth of the St. Johns River, near present-day Jacksonville.

Spanish Florida, 1559-1763

In 1559, Tristan de Luna y Arellano led an attempt by Europeans to colonize Florida. He established a settlement at Pensacola Bay, but a series of misfortunes caused his efforts to be abandoned after two years.

Spain accelerated her plans for colonization, prompted by French adventurers. Pedro Menendez de Aviles hastened across the Atlantic, his sights set on removing the French and creating a Spanish settlement. Menendez arrived in 1565 at a place he called San Augustin (St. Augustine) and established the first permanent European settlement in what is now the United States. He accomplished his goal of expelling the French, attacking and killing all settlers except for non-combatants and Frenchmen who professed belief in the Roman Catholic faith. Menendez captured Fort Caroline and renamed it San Mateo. Their pattern of constructing forts and Roman Catholic missions continued. Spanish missions established among native people soon extended across north Florida and as far north along the Atlantic coast as the area that we now call South Carolina.

The English, also eager to exploit the wealth of the Americas, increasingly came into conflict with Spain's expanding empire. In 1586 the English captain Sir Francis Drake looted and burned the tiny village of St. Augustine. However, Spanish control of Florida was not diminished.

In fact, as late as 1600, Spain's power over what is now the southeastern United States was unquestioned. When English settlers came to America, they established their first colonies well to the North of Jamestown (in the present state of Virginia) in 1607 and Plymouth (in the present state of Massachusetts) in 1620. English colonists wanted to take advantage of the continent's natural resources and gradually pushed the borders of Spanish power southward into present-day southern Georgia. At the same time, French explorers were moving down the Mississippi River valley and eastward along the Gulf Coast.

The English colonists in the Carolina colonies were particularly hostile toward Spain. Led by Colonel James Moore, the Carolinians and their Creek Indian allies attacked Spanish Florida in 1702 and destroyed the town of St. Augustine. However, they could not capture the fort, named Castillo de San Marcos. Two years later, they destroyed the Spanish missions between Tallahassee and St. Augustine, killing many native people and enslaving many others.

Spain's adversaries moved even closer when England founded Georgia in 1733, its southernmost continental colony. Georgians attacked Florida in 1740, assaulting the Castillo de San Marcos at St. Augustine for almost a month. While the attack was not successful, it did point out the growing weakness of Spanish Florida.

French Rivalry, 1562-1565

Spain was not the only European nation that found Florida attractive. In 1562 the Huguenots (French protestants), including Jean Ribault, explored the area. In 1564 fellow Frenchman René Goulaine de Laudonnière established Fort Caroline at the mouth of the St. Johns River, which the French called River May, near present-day Jacksonville. The fort was a direct challenge to Spain's claims over La Florida. Fort Caroline was not fated to last long in French hands.

These French adventurers prompted Spain to accelerate her plans for colonization. Pedro Menendez de Avilés hastened across the Atlantic, his sights set on removing the French and creating a Spanish settlement. Menendez arrived in 1565 at a place he called San Augustín (St. Augustine) and established the first permanent European settlement in what is now the United States. He accomplished his goal of expelling the French, attacking and killing all settlers except for non-combatants and Frenchmen who professed belief in the Roman Catholic faith. Menendez captured Fort Caroline and renamed it San Mateo. This ended French attempts to settle in eastern Florida.

French response came two years later, when Dominique de Gourgues recaptured San Mateo and made the Spanish soldiers stationed there pay with their lives. However, this incident did not halt the Spanish advance. Upon Mendenez's return from Spain, he ruthlessly suppressed French efforts to secure another foothold in Florida. Spain's pattern of constructing forts and Roman Catholic missions continued. Spanish missions established among native people soon extended across north Florida and as far north along the Atlantic coast as the area that we now call South Carolina.

British Florida, 1763-1783

Britain gained control of Florida in 1763 in exchange for Havana, Cuba, which the British had captured from Spain during the Seven Years' War (1756-63). Spain evacuated Florida after the exchange, leaving the province virtually empty. At that time, St. Augustine was still a garrison community with fewer than five hundred houses, and Pensacola also was a small military town.

The British had ambitious plans for Florida. First, it was split into two parts: East Florida, with its capital at St. Augustine; and West Florida, with its seat at Pensacola. The Apalachicola River became the boundary between them. British surveyors mapped much of the landscape and coastline and tried to develop relations with a group of Indian people who were moving into the area from the North. The British called these people of Creek Indian descent Seminolies, or Seminoles, after the Creek word for "wild ones" or "separatists". Britain attempted to attract white settlers by offering land on which to settle and help for those who produced products for export. Given enough time, this plan might have converted Florida into a flourishing colony, but British rule lasted only twenty years.

The two Floridas remained loyal to Great Britain throughout the War for American Independence (1776-83). Spain entered the war on the patriot side and as an ally of France in June 1779. The seizure of Pensacola from the British in May 1781 came at the end of the largest battle ever fought in Florida. In 1783, Spain regained control of the rest of Florida as part of the peace treaty that ended the American Revolution.

The Second Spanish Period, 1783-1821

Spanish forces marched into West Florida in 1779, during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). The British already weakened by war, surrendered West Florida to Spain in 1781. Spain regained control of all Florida in 1783.

Spain found little but trouble during her second tenure of Florida. Spanish colonists as well as settlers from the newly formed United States came pouring in when the British evacuated Florida. Many of the new residents were lured by favorable Spanish terms for acquiring property, called land grants. Others who came were escaped slaves, trying to reach a place where their U.S. masters had no authority and effectively could not reach them. In 1812, a group of eastern Florida settlers rebelled and declared their independence from Spain. But the Spaniards stopped the rebels. Instead of becoming more Spanish, Florida increasingly became more "American."

During the War of 1812 (1812-1815), Spain let Britain use Pensacola as a naval base. In 1814, American troops led by General Andrew Jackson stormed into Florida and seized Pensacola. During the First Seminole War (1817-1818), Jackson captured Fort St. Marks on the Gulf of Mexico. He then defeated the Seminole Indians. Finally in 1819, Spain agreed to turn Florida over to the United States. The United States did not actually pay any money to Spain for Florida. However, it agreed to pay $5 million to U.S. citizens for property damages. After several official and unofficial U.S. military expeditions into the territory, Spain formally ceded Florida to the United States in 1821, according to terms of the Adams-On's Treaty.

TERRITORIAL FLORIDA, 1821-1845

When the British evacuated Florida, Spanish colonists as well as settlers from the newly formed United States came pouring in. Many of the new residents were lured by favorable Spanish terms for acquiring property, called land grants. Others who came were escaped slaves, trying to reach a place where their U.S. masters had no authority and effectively could not reach them. Instead of becoming more Spanish, Florida increasingly became more "American." Finally, after several official and unofficial U.S. military expeditions into the territory, Spain formally ceded Florida to the United States in 1821, according to terms of the Adams-On's Treaty.

On one of those military operations, in 1818, General Andrew Jackson made a foray into Florida. Jackson's battles with Florida's Indian people later would be called the First Seminole War.

Andrew Jackson returned to Florida in 1821 to establish a new territorial government on behalf of the United States. What the U.S. inherited was a wilderness sparsely dotted with settlements of native Indian people, African Americans, and Spaniards.

As a territory of the United States, Florida was particularly attractive to people from the older Southern plantation areas of Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia, who arrived in considerable numbers. After territorial status was granted, the two Floridas were merged into one entity with a new capital city in Tallahassee. Established in 1824, Tallahassee was chosen because it was halfway between the existing governmental centers of St. Augustine and Pensacola.

As Florida's population increased through immigration, so did pressure on the federal government to remove the Indian people from their lands. The Indian population was made up of several groups'primarily, the Creek and the Miccosukee people; and many African American refugees lived with the Indians. Indian removal was popular with white settlers because the native people occupied lands that white people wanted and because their communities often provided a sanctuary for runaway slaves from northern states.

Under President Andrew Jackson, the U.S. government spent $20 million and the lives of many U.S. soldiers, Indian people, and U.S. citizens to force the removal of the Seminoles. In the end, the outcome was not as the federal government had planned. Some Indians migrated "voluntarily." Some were captured and sent west under military guard; and others escaped into the Everglades, where they made a life for themselves away from contact with whites.

By 1840 white Floridians were concentrating on developing the territory and gaining statehood. The population had reached 54,477 people, with African American slaves making up almost one-half of the population. Steamboat navigation was well established on the Apalachicola and St. Johns Rivers, and railroads were planned.

Florida now was divided informally into three areas: East Florida, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Suwannee River; Middle Florida, between the Suwannee and the Apalachicola Rivers; and West Florida, from the Apalachicola to the Perdido River. The southern area of the territory (south of present-day Gainesville) was sparsely settled by whites. The territory's economy was based on agriculture. Plantations were concentrated in Middle Florida, and their owners established the political tone for all of Florida until after the Civil War.

Wars of Indian Removal, 1817-1858

As Florida's population increased through immigration, so did pressure on the federal government to remove the Indian people from their lands. The Indian population was made up of several groups-primarily, the Creek and the Miccosukee people; and many African American refugees lived with the Indians. Indian removal was popular with white settlers because the native people occupied lands that white people wanted and because their communities often provided a sanctuary for runaway slaves from northern states.

Among Florida's native population, the name of Osceola has remained familiar after more than a century and a half. Osceola was a Seminole war leader who refused to leave his homeland in Florida. Seminoles, already noted for their fighting abilities, won the respect of U.S. soldiers for their bravery, fortitude, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances during the Second Seminole War (1835-42). This war, the most significant of the three conflicts between Indian people and U.S. troops in Florida, began over the question of whether Seminoles should be moved westward across the Mississippi River into what is now Oklahoma.

Under President Andrew Jackson, the U.S. government spent $20 million and the lives of many U.S. soldiers, Indian people, and U.S. citizens to force the removal of the Seminoles. In the end, the outcome was not as the federal government had planned. Some Indians migrated "voluntarily." Some were captured and sent west under military guard; and others escaped into the Everglades, where they made a life for themselves away from contact with whites.

Today, reservations occupied by Florida's Indian people exist at Immokalee, Hollywood, Brighton (near the city of Okeechobee), and along the Big Cypress Swamp. In addition to the Seminole people, Florida also has a separate Miccosukee tribe.

ANTE-BELLUM FLORIDA, 1845-1861

Florida became the twenty-seventh state in the United States on March 3, 1845. William D. Moseley was elected the new state's first governor, and David Levy Yulee, one of Florida's leading proponents for statehood, became a U.S. Senator. By 1850 the population had grown to 87,445, including about 39,000 African American slaves and 1,000 free blacks.

The slavery issue began to dominate the affairs of the new state. Most Florida voters'who were white males, ages twenty-one years or older'did not oppose slavery. However, they were concerned about the growing feeling against it in the North, and during the 1850s they viewed the new anti-slavery Republican party with suspicion. In the 1860 presidential election, no Floridians voted for Abraham Lincoln, although this Illinois Republican won at the national level. Shortly after his election, a special convention drew up an ordinance that allowed Florida to secede from the Union on January 10, 1861. Within several weeks, Florida joined other southern states to form the Confederate States of America.

CIVIL WAR IN FLORIDA, 1861-1865

During the Civil War, Florida was not ravaged as several other southern states were. Indeed, no decisive battles were fought on Florida soil. While Union forces occupied many coastal towns and forts, the interior of the state remained in Confederate hands.

Florida provided an estimated 15,000 troops and significant amounts of supplies including salt, beef, pork, and cottonto the Confederacy, but more than 2,000 Floridians, both African American and white, joined the Union army. Confederate and foreign merchant ships slipped through the Union navy blockade along the coast, bringing in needed supplies from overseas ports. Tallahassee was the only southern capital east of the Mississippi River to avoid capture during the war, spared by southern victories at Olustee (1864) and Natural Bridge (1865). Ultimately, the South was defeated, and federal troops occupied Tallahassee on May 10, 1865.

Before the Civil War, Florida had been well on its way to becoming another of the southern cotton states. Afterward, the lives of many residents changed. The ports of Jacksonville and Pensacola again flourished due to the demand for lumber and forest products to rebuild the nation's cities. Those who had been slaves were declared free. Plantation owners tried to regain prewar levels of production by hiring former slaves to raise and pick cotton. However, such programs did not work well, and much of the land came under cultivation by tenant farmers and sharecroppers, both African American and white.

ECONOMICS AND SOCIETY: POST-CIVIL WAR FLORIDA 1865-1913

Florida's geology and climate has more in common with its Caribbean Basin neighbors and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico than with North America. In geologic terms, the Florida Peninsula is young, rising from the sea a mere million years ago. The state is comprised of aquifers. Most commonly born of the springs that once lured Spanish explorers in search of the famed "Fountain of Youth" to Florida, these aquifers gave birth to the Florida Everglades, have fed Florida's agricultural industries and, today, quench the thirst of tremendous population growth and economic development.

A key feature of Florida's geology is the Hawthorne Formation; this karst limestone ridge, better seen from the air than from the ground, forms the backbone of Florida. The Formation stretches southward from the limestone beds of the Suwannee River to the soft, silted underbelly of Lake Okeechobee, one of the largest lakes entirely within the United States. The sinks that dot its spine have spawned the lore andliterature of Florida, from Native American legend through popular culture icons: the mermaids of Weeki Wachi, and the backdrop for more distant or fantastic venues: the Tarzan movies of the 1940sand 1950s and Voyage to the Bottom of Sea of 1970s TV fame.

Other impressive features of Florida's geology are the St. Johns River and the Apalachicola and Tampa Bays. The only major river in the United States to flow North, the St. Johns River was subject to a Confederate plan during the Civil War that would have dammed it, forcing its waters to flow south. The Apalachicola Bay has been called "nature's cradle" and has been the source of most of the oysters served in restaurant across the country. The Tampa Bay formed a natural harbor, exploited by the Spanish, British and Americans, alike, as their foothold in Florida grew.

Florida's climate is unique within the United States. More than that of any other state, Florida's climate supports a rich and diverse natural heritage. At the cross currents of temperate and tropic zones, it has either spawned or attracted numerous and infamous storms including disastrous hurricanes. Every year, Florida records more and more intense lightning strikes than anywhere else in the world.

Reconstruction Era, 1865-1877

Before the Civil War, Florida had been well on its way to becoming another of the southern cotton states. Afterward, the lives of many residents changed. The ports of Jacksonville and Pensacola again flourished due to the demand for lumber and forest products to rebuild the nation's cities. Those who had been slaves were declared free. Plantation owners tried to regain prewar levels of production by hiring former slaves to raise and pick cotton. However, such programs did not work well, and much of the land came under cultivation by tenant farmers and sharecroppers, both African American and white.

Beginning in 1868, the federal government instituted a congressional program of "reconstruction" in Florida and the other southern states. During this period, Republican officeholders tried to enact sweeping changes, many of which were aimed at improving conditions for African Americans.

At the time of the 1876 presidential election, federal troops still occupied Florida. The state's Republican government and recently enfranchised African American voters helped to put Rutherford B. Hayes in the White House. However, Democrats gained control of enough state offices to end the years of Republican rule and prompt the removal of federal troops the following year. A series of political battles in the state left African Americans with little voice in their government.

Business, Agriculture, and Tourism, 1878-1897

During the final quarter of the nineteenth century, large-scale commercial agriculture in Florida, especially cattle-raising, grew in importance. Industries such as cigar manufacturing took root in the immigrant communities of the state.

Potential investors became interested in enterprises that extracted resources from the water and land. These extractive operations were as widely diverse as sponge harvesting in Tarpon Springs and phosphate mining in the southwestern part of the state. The Florida citrus industry grew rapidly, despite occasional freezes and economic setbacks. The development of industries throughout the state prompted the construction of roads and railroads on a large scale.

Beginning in the 1870s, residents from northern states visited Florida as tourists to enjoy the state's natural beauty and mild climate. Steamboat tours on Florida's winding rivers were a popular attraction for these visitors.

The growth of Florida's transportation industry had its origins in 1855, when the state legislature passed the Internal Improvement Act. Like legislation passed by several other states and the federal government, Florida's act offered cheap or free public land to investors, particularly those interested in transportation. The act, and other legislation like it, had its greatest effect in the years between the end of the Civil War and the beginning of World War I. During this period, many railroads were constructed throughout the state by companies owned by Henry Flagler and Henry B. Plant, who also built lavish hotels near their railroad lines. The Internal Improvement Act stimulated the initial efforts to drain the southern portion of the state in order to convert it to farmland.

These development projects had far-reaching effects on the agricultural, manufacturing, and extractive industries of late-nineteenth-century Florida. The citrus industry especially benefited, since it was now possible to pick oranges in south Florida; put them on a train heading north; and eat them in Baltimore, Philadelphia, or New York in less than a week.

Florida and the War for Cuban Independence, 1898

In 1898 national attention focused on Florida, as the Spanish-American War began. The port city of Tampa served as the primary staging area for U.S. troops bound for the war in Cuba. Many Floridians supported the Cuban peoples' desire to be free of Spanish colonial rule.

The New Century and a Growing State, 1899-1913

By the turn of the century, Florida's population and per capita wealth were increasing rapidly; the potential of the "Sunshine State" appeared endless. By the end of World War I, land developers had descended on this virtual gold mine. With more Americans owning automobiles, it became commonplace to vacation in Florida. Many visitors stayed on, and exotic projects sprang up in southern Florida. Some people moved onto land made from drained swamps. Others bought canal-crossed tracts through what had been dry land. The real estate developments quickly attracted buyers, and land in Florida was sold and resold. Profits and prices for many developers reached inflated levels.

FLORIDA DURING WORLD WAR I,1914-1918

World War I served to stimulate Florida's economic growth further. Not only did the state continue to produce for the nation, but its climate offered excellent year-round opportunities for training in all branches of the armed services. Florida's ports hosted naval bases, as well as army, air, and marine facilities. As these facilities grew Florida's production increasingly fed not only the nation but itself. Networks of cities and roads supporting the war effort would later support both continued economic expansion and a following land boom.

THE FLORIDA BOOM AND BUST,1919-1929

By the turn of the century, Florida's population and per capita wealth were increasing rapidly; the potential of the "Sunshine State" appeared endless. By the end of World War I, land developers had descended on this virtual gold mine. With more Americans owning automobiles, it became commonplace to vacation in Florida. Many visitors stayed on, and exotic projects sprang up in southern Florida. Some people moved onto land made from drained swamps. Others bought canal-crossed tracts through what had been dry land. The real estate developments quickly attracted buyers, and land in Florida was sold and resold. Profits and prices for many developers reached inflated levels.

Florida's economic bubble burst in 1926, when money and credit ran out, and banks and investors abruptly stopped trusting the "paper" millionaires. Severe hurricanes swept through the state in the 1926 and 1928, further damaging Florida's economy.

By the time the Great Depression began in the rest of the nation in 1929, Floridians had already become accustomed to economic hardship.

In 1929 the Mediterranean fruit fly invaded the state, and the citrus industry suffered. A quarantine was established, and troops set up roadblocks and checkpoints to search vehicles for any contraband citrus fruit. Florida's citrus production was cut by about sixty percent.

DEPRESSION AND THE NEW DEAL YEARS IN FLORIDA, 1930-1941

State government began to represent a larger proportion of its citizens. Female citizens won the right to vote in 1920, when the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution became law. In 1937, the requirement that voters pay a "poll tax" was repealed, allowing poor African American and white Floridians to have a greater voice in government.

FLORIDA IN WORLD WAR II,1941-1945

World War II spurred economic development in Florida. Because of its year-round mild climate, the state became a major training center for soldiers, sailors, and aviators of the United States and its allies. Highway and airport construction accelerated so that, by war's end, Florida had an up-to-date transportation network ready for use by residents and the visitors who seemed to arrive in an endless stream.

In 1944 the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed a system of all-white primary elections that had limited the right of African Americans to vote.

POST-WAR FLORIDA, 1945-1960

One of the most significant trends of the postwar era has been steady population growth, resulting from large migrations to the state from within the U.S. and from countries throughout the western hemisphere, notably Cuba and Haiti. Florida is now the fourth most populous state in the nation.

The people who make up Florida's diverse population have worked to make the Sunshine State a place where all citizens have equal rights under the law. Since the 1950s, Florida's public education system and public places have undergone great changes. African American citizens, joined by Governor LeRoy Collins and other white supporters, fought to end racial discrimination in schools and other institutions.

Since World War II, Florida's economy also has become more diverse. Tourism, cattle, citrus, and phosphate have been joined by a host of new industries that have greatly expanded the numbers of jobs available to residents.

CONTEMPORARY FLORIDA,1960-

Since World War II, Florid's economy also has become more diverse. Tourism, cattle, citrus, and phosphate have been joined by a host of new industries that have greatly expanded the numbers of jobs available to residents. Electronics, plastics, construction, real estate, and international banking are among the state's more recently-developed industries.

Several major U.S. corporations have moved their headquarters to Florida. An interstate highway system exists throughout the state, and Florida is home to major international airports. The university and community college system has expanded rapidly, and high-technology industries have grown steadily. The U.S. space programs its historic launches from Cape Canaveral, lunar landings, and the development of the space shuttle programs brought much media attention to the state. The citrus industry continues to prosper, despite occasional winter freezes, and tourism also remains important, bolstered by large capital investments. Florida attractions, such as the large theme parks in the Orlando area, bring millions of visitors to the state from across the U.S. and around the world.

Today, Floridians study their state's long history to learn more about the lives of the men and women who shaped their exciting past. By learning about our rich and varied heritage, we can draw lessons to help create a better Florida for all of its citizens.

Florida History Themes

Select a theme from the list below

AFRICAN AMERICANS

African Americans have been a prominent element in the history and culture of Florida since Estavanico explored Florida with Panfilo de Narvaez, and continued with the establishment of the first free black community in North America (Fort Mose, north of St. Augustine in the 1730s). As a slave state, Florida hadplantations that harvested cotton and later, African Americans provided much of the labor for the state's timber and turpentine industries. After Emancipation in 1863, African-Americans emerged as important Florida leaders in literature, medicine, newspapers, businesses, and education.

The Florida Heritage Collection contains a variety of works which cover some critical issues associated with African Americans in Florida. The civil rights movement forced the issue of desegregation in public services, especially in the school system. A great number of problems resulted from this process, and the struggle contributed to the cultural growth. The presence of the African American element in Florida history has enriched Florida culture, and evidence of this can be seen in many of the works in this collection.

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture has always been an important issue in Florida history, and it varies with the region of the state. From sugar cane in the South to citrus in Central Florida to cattle ranches of the North, Florida agriculture is important and varied. Nineteenth-century crops of cotton and tobacco have given way to twentieth-century corn, peanuts, shrimp harvesting and other food sources. Historical agricultural experiments include ostrich farming and Satsuma oranges and grapes. Many of the works in the Florida Heritage Collection have discussed Florida agriculture, including works on gardening, farming, soil, topography and climate.

AUTHORS

Florida has always had the image of a tropical paradise, a land of promise and dreams. Many Florida authors have been able to contribute to this image by creating unforgetable works of literature which reflect Florida's history and hertiage. The Florida Heritage Collection contains works such as guides and biographies on some of these authors, and of special note are the works on Theodore Pratt, author of the Barefoot Mailman.

BIOGRAPHY

Many Floridians throughout history have led fascinating lives and have played key roles in the history of the state. Studying the lives of these individuals can bring about a greater appreciation of the rich culture that Florida possesses. The Florida Heritage Collection contains many biographies and autobiographies of famous Floridians, including works about Eartha Mary Magdalene White, Henry Bradley Plant and Wallace Fisher Stovall. This section will also include reminiscences and self-portraits written by notable Floridians.

BUSINESS

Business and economics have always played critical roles in the development of societies. The Florida Heritage Collection is able to offer access to several unique works on some of the important business developments in Florida history, such as the Afro-American Life Insurance Company of Jacksonville, Florida, the development of the Franklin Street business district in Tampa, Florida, and the history of businesses such as cotton and railroads in the Red Hills of North Florida.

CIVIL RIGHTS

Florida history, especially in the past 100 years, shows the expansion of civil rights to protect all of Florida's citizens, regardless of gender or race. The Florida Hertiage Collection contains works on desegregation and integration, feminism, McCarthyism and more. The information contained in these documents reveals a great deal about the effects of bigotry and hatred, and how the people of Florida have risen above such destructive feelings.

DESCRIPTION AND TRAVEL

Since time immemorial, people have been fascinated with written accounts of faraway places. Spanish, British, and French visitors to Florida often wrote books of their travels describing these tropical lands where food and danger lurked hand-in-hand. Description and travel is a very broad category that covers many aspects of Florida tourism, travel and recreational activities. This includes historic desciptions of Florida cities, such as Jacksonville and Miami. Many of the documents are related to travel, such as descriptions and pictures of different cities and locations. There are also some old restaurant menus, recipes, information of recreational activities such as hunting and fishing, and more. Anything that relates to Florida travel and recreation can be found here.

EARTH SCIENCES

Florida's geology and climate has more in common with its Caribbean Basin neighbors and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico than with North America. In geologic terms, the Florida Peninsula is young, rising from the sea a mere million years ago. The state is comprised of aquifers. Most commonly born of the springs that once lured Spanish explorers in search of the famed "Fountain of Youth" to Florida, these aquifers gave birth to the Florida Everglades, have fed Florida's agricultural industries and, today, quench the thirst of tremendous population growth and economic development.

A key feature of Florida's geology is the Hawthorne Formation; this karst limestone ridge, better seen from the air than from the ground, forms the backbone of Florida. The Formation stretches southward from the limestone beds of the Suwannee River to the soft, silted underbelly of Lake Okeechobee, one of the largest lakes entirely within the United States. The sinks that dot its spine have spawned the lore andliterature of Florida, from Native American legend through popular culture icons: the mermaids of Weeki Wachi, and the backdrop for more distant or fantastic venues: the Tarzan movies of the 1940sand 1950s and Voyage to the Bottom of Sea of 1970s TV fame.

Other impressive features of Florida's geology are the St. Johns River and the Apalachicola and Tampa Bays. The only major river in the United States to flow North, the St. Johns River was subject to a Confederate plan during the Civil War that would have dammed it, forcing its waters to flow south. The Apalachicola Bay has been called "nature's cradle" and has been the source of most of the oysters served in restaurant across the country. The Tampa Bay formed a natural harbor, exploited by the Spanish, British and Americans, alike, as their foothold in Florida grew.

Florida's climate is unique within the United States. More than that of any other state, Florida's climate supports a rich and diverse natural heritage. At the cross currents of temperate and tropic zones, it has either spawned or attracted numerous and infamous storms including disastrous hurricanes. Every year, Florida records more and more intense lightning strikes than anywhere else in the world.

EDUCATION

Before 1870, education in Florida was provided by private schools or academies or by efforts of tutors. Higher education emerged after the Civil War, with two major universities - the all-male University of Florida and the female Florida State College at Tallahassee. The creation of the Florida State Normal University at DeFuniak Springs, Florida in 1886 paved the way for the education of teachers.

The Florida Heritage Collection contains a wide range of literature about Florida schools and education. Much of the information is concerned with the African American experience in education during the early times of desegregation. Examination of this body of literature creates a clear picture of where Florida education has been, and where it is heading.

FOLKLORE

Folklore and legend are always some of the more interesting and definitive aspects of a culture. The works in this section of the Florida Heritage Collection are very rich examples of Florida folklore. Elements of magic and the supernatural are woven into elaborate tales that exemplify elements of Florida culture. Florida folklore encompasses oral history as well as crafts handed down through generations of family members. The Florida Heritage Collection includes oral histories, folk tales, stories, and other materials that encompass folklore of the Sunshine State. One of the more significant works in this collection are the writings of Lafcadio Hearn, which contains a story about the Fountain of Youth.

HISTORIC SITES

Florida was one of the first areas of the New World to be explored, and the early inhabitants left an amazing legacy for future Floridians to cherish. Florida has many beautiful historic sites that can be explored today, including the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, as well as sites around the coasts of Florida, whose waters and coastlines have seen numerous shipwrecks. As Spain began bringing the riches of the Aztec and Incan empires to Europe, their silver and gold-laden ships sailed the Florida coastlines, often becoming prey to pirates, storms, and treacherous shallow shores and coastal reefs. There are many wonderful examples of Florida history which live on today. The Florida Heritage Collection offers many works on the unique historic sites of this state, including first-hand accounts of shipwrecks written by survivors, information on treasure-hunting exploits by salvagers, and archaeological and historical accounts of shipwreck projects, as well as descriptions of other historic sites throughout the state.

HISTORY

Florida industries have provided for the economic success of the state. The newspaper and mining industries are two of the most significant areas of this part of the Florida Heritage Collection, but there are also works on other areas of Florida industry, such as timber and lumber. Florida research materials on industries often tend to cover several different industries such as mining, printing, and similar mechanical business operations.

The first printing in Florida appears to be from printing presses carried aboard British ships hich printed broadsides, posters, forms (such as land grants) and the like. The mericanization of Florida in 1821 led to the rise of newspapers. Often the editor of the paper as as noteworthy as the newspaper, perhaps pushing progress through print, or writing fiery olumns to urge change. Some papers became nationally famous. The Florida Sentinel, an African-American newspaper, was nationally known in the early Twentieth century. The Miami Herald established a national reputation for investigative eporting, especially as Florida's East Coast became a playground of politicians, movie stars, and the jet set.

INDUSTRIES

Florida industries have provided for the economic success of the state. The newspaper and mining industries are two of the most significant areas of this part of the Florida Heritage Collection, but there are also works on other areas of Florida industry, such as timber and lumber. Florida research materials on industries often tend to cover several different industries such as mining, printing, and similar mechanical business operations.

The first printing in Florida appears to be from printing presses carried aboard British ships which printed broadsides, posters, forms (such as land grants) and the like. The americanization of Florida in 1821 led to the rise of newspapers. Often the editor of the paper as as noteworthy as the newspaper, perhaps pushing progress through print, or writing fiery columns to urge change. Some papers became nationally famous. The Florida Sentinel, an African-American newspaper, was nationally known in the early Twentieth century. The Miami Herald established a national reputation for investigative exporting, especially as Florida's East Coast became a playground of politicians, movie stars, and the jet set.

LITERATURE

The works of literature within the Florida Heritage Collection are some of the most unique pieces of the collection. These beautiful examples of writing illustrate the talent of Florida authors. There are works of poetry, children's stories, and writings about Florida and its environs. Fictional works, although they often contain a great deal of historical license, also help us to understand the social and cultural climate of a time. Fiction written about Florida has included such themes as shipwrecks, poetry, life in the Everglades, and similar themes that reflect the rich tableau of the State's history. Some examples of the works in this section are, Al Alligator and how he learned to play the banjo, Canoemates: a story of the Florida Reef and Everglades, and Chasco, queen of the Calusas.

MEDICAL CARE

Florida's nineteenth-century was overshadowed by the annual threat of Yellow Fever. Studies of this disease led to quarantines, the discovery of air-conditioning, and similar health care innovations. In the twentieth-century, health care has been predominantly a question of how to reach rural communities and meet the growing demand in the areas of aged health care.

The medical care received by Floridians throughout the years has had a strong impact on the life and well-being of Florida's population. The Florida Heritage Collection contains works about medical facilities and resources, as well as how medical services and programs have effected the health of the population of Florida. The advances and contributions made in medical care have promoted wellness and the betterment of health in Florida.

MEDICINE

After the Civil War, northern physicians began prescribing a 'change of climate' to people suffering from tuberculosis and other lung diseases. These people were often urged to go to Florida for the winter to escape the harsh weather and in hopes that the more temperature and humid climate would make breathing and recovery easier. The history of medicine in Florida includes health foods and patent medicine tonics, literature extolling the benefits of climate upon health and the abundance of pure water springs.

Florida Medicine is a strong and dedicated field. Doctors and other medical practitioners must serve and ever-expanding population, including the large numbers of retirees that move to Florida in their later years. Works contained in this section of the Florida Heritage Collection are primarily related to the clinical and life sciences, human biology, physicians and the medical profession.

MILITARY HISTORY

Military history has played a very strong role in the evolution of Florida society and culture. The early history of Florida is a military history of conquest as the land was captured by Spain who saw numerous attempts by France and England to attack and capture Spanish East and West Florida. English control of Florida ceased with the Siege of Pensacola in 1781, a Revolutionary War battle that gave Florida back to Spain. Invasions of American volunteer armies under Andrew Jackson in 1813 and 1818, fighting Creek and Seminole uprisings, led to the annexation of Florida to the United States.

To protect the new Territory, a string of military forts and bases were established throughout Florida to protect the coastlines and cities. As part of the Confederate States of America, Florida saw her share of military battles and occupations as port cities like Key West, Pensacola, and others became important points on the Union blockade of the South.

Following the Civil War, Florida became a major training and embarkation point for the War with Cuba in 1898, and the site for major military training bases after World War I. Naval aviation brought the need for good weather training sites in the 1920s including the development of Naval Aeronautical Stations in Pensacola, and naval bases in Jacksonville, Tampa, Key West, and other locations. Eglin Air Force Base, the largest air force base in the world in size, was created to provide weapons and armament training for World War II and continual support services into the 21st century.

As is the case with the histories of many other states and countries around the world, military efforts pave the way for the rest of society's development, and while these actions may be considered unnecessary or brutal by some, no one can deny the influence of military history on the growth and development of Florida and it's people. The Florida Heritage Collection presents works on the many wars and battles in Florida's history, including the Mexican War, wars and skirmishes with the original Native American population, wars with the British, Spanish, and more. A close study of this section of the collection will provide an interesting view of Florida's early development.

MUSIC

The role of art and expression is one of the most defining characteristics of any culture. It is through examination and study of these works of creativity, one can see elements of a society that are not easily expressed in any other form. Music is one of the most expressive forms of art, and projects thoughts, experiences and feelings that others may have never experienced. Florida's diverse musical history has ranged from the Native American songs of the Seminoles and the Creeks to ballads of the frontier and lumbermen, to the classical presentations of opera and culture. In addition to songs about Florida, numerous musicians wrote and produced music in Florida including Stephen Foster and others. The Florida Heritage Collection stives to provide works on the role of music in Florida's culture and history.

NATIVE AMERICANS

The Native American population of Florida has played one of the most significant roles in the history of this region. As the original settlers of this county, they have an intimate knowledge of the land that cannot be as easily understood by other races who moved into the country from other areas of the world. Their life, experience, sufferings, and spirit will always play a strong role in the culture and society of Florida. The Florida Heritage Collection contains many works on Native American history, culture, folklore, and warfare. Thorough examination of this body of literature will open one's mind to the Native American experience in Florida.

NATURAL DISASTERS

What is one of the first things that people think of when they think of Florida? Perhaps, the think of a tropical paradise, but due to the tropical nature of the state of Florida, the land is subject to one of the most destructive forces of nature ever seen--hurricanes. Early accounts called them "big storms." Today we know that Florida is a prime target for hurricanes. Major hurricanes that hit Florida leave a historical record of destruction of people and property. A number of historical works deal with reminiscences of these storms, as well as pictures of the destruction they leave behind. The Florida Heritage Collection contains a variety of items regarding Florida hurricanes, such as the infamous Hurricane Andrew, but there are also works on other natural disasters. Florida's primary source for building materials has been its pine forests. Historically this creates a number of problems in that the decay of wood in a tropical climate has made it difficult to preserve Florida's historical buildings. But another prevalent danger was fire. A number of historical works deal with major fires in Jacksonville and other cities where one fire could destroy an entire business district.

NATURAL HISTORY

When Florida came under English control in 1765, a number of English naturalists came into the state to study its strange animals, plants, and natural history. American botanists like William Bartram and Mark Catesby published studies of plants. John James Audubon produced paintings of the Brown Pelican and other birds. Silas Stearns gathered fish specimens for the Smithsonian Institution in the late 19th century. Florida was unlike any other American state--a lush tropical paradise of jungle and plants, with an extraordinary large wetland that became known as the Everglades.

This section of the Florida Heritage Collection contains various works on the Florida outdoors. Biological and botanical information is available, as well as information about hiking on Florida's trails, observations of Florida's flora and fauna, and details on camping and related outdoor activities. The writings of the many naturalists are still important today for they provide information on natural habitat, the uses of plants, and even document native species that have all but disappeared.

PERSONS

For more information "Browse Persons"People are the most significant element of the development of any society. Without the efforts of the people of Florida, there would be no Florida to speak of. This section of the Florida Heritage Collection contains works concerning the achievements and efforts of Floridians which contributed to the growth and development of society and culture in this region.

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Into the twentieth century, Florida has had a history of political intrigue and power clashes in government. From the Reconstruction Republicans to the Southern Democrats, Florida has seen hard-fought political battles, including the rise of important national politicians such as Bob Sikes and Claude Pepper. At the same time, Florida has had to deal with governmental problems unique to a state that is rural and urban, dependent upon both agriculture and tourism, and dramatically changed by the growth of transplanted non-native citizens.

Politics and government are very significant and necessary forces in the development of society. Through government, laws and norms are established, and structure is given to the state. The Florida Heritage Collection contains works that cover a variety of areas in this category, such as the establishment of desegregation policies in schools and other public institutions, environmental policy development and works related to the use of Florida swamplands, regulatory policies for public institutions such as the police force, population surveys, hearing reports, and much more. This section of the collection details the development of Florida's government and policies for providing structure to the state.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Early in Florida history, Yellow Fever was a serious problem for the state. This major disease historically affected Florida in many ways. Yellow Fever often wiped out whole communities, such as the destruction of St. Joseph, Florida. At the same time, attempts to treat the cause and effect of the disease led to the discovery of air-conditioning by John Gorrie and the rise of public health agencies to foster control and quarantines of Florida cities.In the 1880s, Florida saw the rise of public health - the concern for health of citizens by governmental agencies such as city and county Board of Health. Into the twentieth century, these organizations became concerned over contagious diseases, health care for children and rural citizens, vaccination programs, and health education.

The Florida Heritage Collection contains materials which help document much of the research related to Yellow Fever, as well as documents dealing with statistical information and firsthand accounts. There are also works on social welfare and descriptions of the efforts of state health organizations to better the state of public health in Florida.

RACE RELATIONS

The end of the Civil War meant a social change in Florida between African-Americans and Whites. The turbulent 1920s and 1960s saw civil unrest with race riots and desegregation concerns. The influx of Cubans, Hispanics, and Vietnamese has also created racial relation concerns. Historically, race relations have not always been positive, but it is important historically for us to understand these issues and the research materials produced about them.

Much of the historical information in the Florida Heritage Collection deals with the interaction of different races and social groups who are located in proximity to one another. At times this type of interaction can be plagued with hatred and misunderstanding. The collection contains many works on the interaction of African Americans and the white population of Florida during the time of integration, but there are also works on the interactions of whites and Native Americans and other social groups. A solid understanding of the concepts presented in these works can help to open the minds of the reader, and promoting tolerance and understanding.

RAILROADS

The growth of railroads in Florida before the Civil War was limited to a few companies who tried to connect major cities with cities in other states. It was perhaps the lack of railroads in Florida that made the state less of a battleground than other Confederate States. But after the Civil War, the growth of railroads exploded. The major cities of Florida were connected in the 1880s as the Louisville and Nashville Railroad expanded throughout the South, and the development of the East Coast Line by Henry Flagler led to the development of cities like Miami, Palm Beach, and the introduction of Florida as a tourism destination.

While there is less reliance on railroads as a major source of transportation today, they still remain an important element in today's society and in the development of Florida infrastructure. Some works relate the history of railroads across the state, and there are also directories and pamphlets related to the railway system.

REAL PROPERTY

From Spanish crown grants through modern court records, land records tell the story of people who populated Florida's lands and what they did with them. Land records in Florida tend to over three stages. First come Spanish land grants, and British land sales. Then, following the creation of the Territory of Florida in 1821, a federal land commission held hearings and made reports to Congress concerning the land claims in the 1820s. The last period is the township and section survey of the State; these records tend to be in the courthouses of the appropriate county but are occasionally published and indexed in print.

Land issues and real estate have played very important roles in the growth and development of this state. Through the buying and selling of lands, Florida has become a very densely populated region, and offers many resources to its population. The Florida Heritage Collection provides access to works on land records and other territorial issues.

SOCIAL HISTORY

This section of the Florida Heritage Collection contains works on the socio-cultural aspects of Floridian society. There is access to works on child development and other sociological topics, as well as works on social structures, institutions and interactions. Important currents in Florida society and culture are discussed in this section.

Land issues and real estate have played very important roles in the growth and development of this state. Through the buying and selling of lands, Florida has become a very densely populated region, and offers many resources to its population. The Florida Heritage Collection provides access to works on land records and other territorial issues.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Urban growth and development has proceeded at an amazing rate in the state of Florida. Cities and towns that started out as small cowtowns have been developed into massive population centers. As Florida has changed from a tourist destination to a retirement state, growth planning has been a major component of infrastructure development. Growth planning may include studies of water demands, transportation needs, housing and urban growth, and related growth planning materials.

The Florida Heritage Collection offers many works about the growth and development of Florida. Some of the documents highlight historical sketches of towns such as Miami and Tampa, growth of the school systems, and government efforts and programs for development, such as the Works Progress Administration. The materials in this section of the collection detail many interesting aspect's of Florida's evolution as a major population center, providing both historical and more current views on the subject.

WOMEN

Women development of cultures around the world, and the efforts of women in Florida have made serious contributions to the current state of the region. This part of the Florida Heritage Collection focuses on the many aspects of these efforts and achievements, including works about women pioneers in the state, feminist activism, biographical information on important Florida women, and images of women in Florida history. The documents contained in this collection offer a unique perspective on Florida's history and culture. Some of the works may include biographies and autobiographies and accounts of specific women and their contributions in health care, education, and other fields.

Monroe

Established 1823.

Named after James Monroe, President, U.S., 1817-1825.
Major cities include: Islamorda, Key Largo, Key West, Marathon, North Key Largo Beach
See the Big Cypress National Preserve and Mile Markers collections.FEFDL link to Monroe County

Putnam

Established 1849.

Named after either for Israel Putnam, Revolutionary hero, or Benjamin A. Putnam, officer in Seminole War and unsuccessful
candidate, U.S. House of Representatives, 1815.
Major cities include:Crescent City, Interlachen, Palatka, Pomona Park, Welaka FEFDL link to Putnam County

St. Lucia

see, Brevard
Established 1844 - 1855.

St. Lucie

Established 1844.

Named after St. Lucie of Syracuse, Roman Catholic Saint.
Lucie was Born in Sicily and was executed in 304 AD for being a Christian.
Major cities include: Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie FEFDL link to St. Lucie County

Seminole

Established 1913.

Named after the Seminole Indians. "Seminole" is thought to be derived from Spanish word "cimarron", meaning "wild" or "runaway."
Major cities include: Lake Mary, Oviedo, Sanford FEFDL link to Seminole County

Related Sites

Florida's rich history is stored in a variety of collections across Florida and the United States. Selected institutions with significant collections on Florida communities, history, and culture are listed below by subject. Many of these institutions offer inter-library loan, reference desk, and Ask A Librarian virtual reference services to the public. Please contact specific institutions directly for additional information on accessing collections. Contact us to suggest related sites not yet listed or for help using the Florida Heritage site.

Copyright Information

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Florida Heritage is a collection of digital images made from source materials in the collections of libraries, archives and museums.

Some source materials are under copyright and have been digitized with the permission of the copyright holder. Your use of these digital images is allowed by law only insofar as it remains within the terms and conditions described.

If not otherwise noted, the source materials are in the public domain. Use of these digital images created from public domain materials is unrestricted.

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Unless additional restrictions are noted, copyrighted electronic materials in this collection may be used for research, instruction, and private study under the provisions of Fair Use. Fair Use is a provision of United States Copyright Law (United States Code, Title 17, section 107) which allows limited use of copyrighted materials under certain conditions. Factors to be considered with regard to a particular use's falling under Fair Use include: the purpose or character of the use; The nature of the copyrighted work; The amount and substantiality of the work being used; The effect of the use on the market for and value of the original. Under Fair Use you may view, print, photocopy, and download images from this site without prior permission, provided that you provide proper attribution of the source on all copies. For any other use of these electronic materials, including but not limited to display, publication and commercial use, permission of the copyright holder must be obtained.

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Users assume all liability for copyright infringement and are advised to contact the institution holding the source materials for copyright information and permission to use the electronic versions. Permission must be obtained for display, publication, commercial use, or any other use of the digital materials in this collection except as allowed under Fair Use.

The institution holding the source material is noted in the full bibliographic information for the document. "Search" on the Florida Heritage Project Homepage by entering a search for the material you are interested in. When you find the desired item, click on the underlined title, and full bibliographic information will display. You will find full information about the source, including holding library and any copyright restrictions pertaining to the original material and the digital images made from it.

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Search this Collection

The Florida Heritage Collection is an ongoing cooperative project of the State University System (SUS) of Florida to digitize and provide online access to materials broadly representing Florida's history, culture, arts, literature, sciences and social sciences. Thematic areas in this growing collection include Native American and minority populations, exploration and development, tourism, the natural environment, and regional interests. Materials are taken from archives, special collections, and libraries of the eleven state universities which make up the SUS. These materials represent only a small part of the wealth of historical and archival treasures held by the SUS libraries. Users should note the source of materials they use on this site and should contact the holding libraries or archives directly for more information.

A studio portrait of Ruth Rutland taken in 1930 by the Home Portrait Studios in Jacksonville, Fla.

Date Issued

1930, 1930-01-01T05:00:00.000Z

Format

Image (JPEG2000)

Title

1950's View of the Road to Captiva.

Abstract/Description

The road to Captiva was threatened by erosion as it ran at water's edge along the Gulf of Mexico. Erosional forces increased in the 1920s and in the late 1980s, beach renourishment was initiated to slow the problem. Many other potential remedies were tried, such as the "dog-leg" groins running perpendicular to the shore in this photo.

Date Issued

1963, 1963-01-01T05:00:00.000Z

Format

Image (JPEG2000)

Title

1955 Sanibel Shell Fair.

Abstract/Description

Part of a scallop and Lion's paw display at the 1955 Sanibel Shell Fair.

Date Issued

1955, 1955-01-01T05:00:00.000Z

Format

Image (JPEG2000)

Title

The 1960 presidential election in Florida: did the space race and the national prestige issue play an important role?.

Name/Creator

Babish, Randy Wade

Date Issued

2000, 2000-01-01T05:00:00.000Z

Format

E-book

Title

1973-1974 annual certification and unified work program for the Jacksonville urban area.